Flexible Lusty EMS Tipper Combination Increases Productivity

Guse Transport Services owner, Mick Guse, has some clear goals in mind for his Queensland-based company to stay ahead of the competition. Aware that the tipper landscape is always changing, Mick recently approached Lusty EMS to specify a trailer combination that could give him an edge. Lusty EMS lived up to its reputation for producing high payload trailers, delivering a tri-axle road train tipper combination that has increased Mick’s profits.

The Lusty EMS combination in road train configuration.

Queensland’s broadacre and intensive grain growers produce a range of crops. Nationally, the grain industry plays a key role in the health of Australia’s domestic transport community and just as importantly it competes successfully in export markets, representing a substantial portion of Australia’s agricultural exports.

Finding the balance between meeting strict regulations and maintaining profitability during a lean grain harvest was a challenge that Guse Transport Services recently needed to tackle. It was these factors which were behind their decision to purchase a versatile Lusty EMS B-Double/Road Train combination, designed to reap the rewards of increased payloads. The combination features a Lead Slider and Tip Over Axle B-trailer connected by a tri-axle Dolly.

When road train routes through NSW for tri-axle dolly road trains became available, Mick Guse knew that real gains could be accomplished. The payload advantage that could be achieved by using a road train rather than a B-Double would mean the new combination would be more profitable per trip, something which appealed to Mick to keep his business successful and provide some security against low yield seasons.

Guse Transport Services says Lusty EMS’s Tri-Axle Dolly provides much more stability on the road than a bogie.

Mick is quick to point out that the backbone of his operation is having good drivers who appreciate and want to operate premium equipment.

“Being on time, every time, and getting the loads delivered safely is paramount,” said Mitch Jensen, senior driver for Guse. “It is as simple as doing what you say, when you say you’re going to do it – that’s my philosophy.”

“How we do that is by having the best gear,” Mitch continued. “We spent a lot of time with Lusty EMS in Brisbane planning the specifications of the trailer combination to ensure that we could take advantage of payload increases in all the areas we travel.”

Those payload increases have given Guse an edge, increasing profitability. “We very rarely run our units as single trailers other than when we are running dog trailers to set up a road train. We either have them set up as a B-Double or road train and we average a healthy 56 tonne payload with the Lusty EMS tri-axle dolly combination,” Mitch said.

The key to the versatility of this combination is the Lusty EMS Lead Slider trailer, which enables Mitch to slide the tipper bin forward to reveal a turntable mounted over the tri-axle suspension. In this setup he can connect it up to the rear Tip Over Axle trailer and use it as a B-Double. Conversely, when he is running on road train routes he simply slides the turntable under the lead trailer’s bin and connects the trailers via the dolly as a traditional road train, giving him 15 tonne further payload over the B-Double.

The Lead Slider trailer makes the combination possible. Sliding it forward, it can be connected as a B-Double, while sliding it back and utilising a tri-axle Dolly makes it possible to be connected as a road train.

The Lead Slider trailer also features a second drop-in kingpin, which ensures correct carrying capacities are achieved in road train and B-Triple applications.

“Not only do we get the additional payload but the tri-axle dolly is so much more stable than a bogie dolly,” Mitch claimed. “They are far safer and we believe they are the way forward for the future.”

“The trailers and dolly are fitted with what we consider to be the best running gear on the market, for maximum reliability,” Mitch volunteered. Both trailers have an automatic lift on the first axle for more savings when the trailers are empty. Lusty EMS also features LED lights as standard, providing long and reliable life and adapting automatically to varying voltages in truck power supplies. Meanwhile, both tipper bodies have been treated with a ‘mill bright’ finish, which ensures they are always looking clean.

“We are probably not the cheapest carriers in the business, but we pride ourselves on being one of the most reliable. There is no argument that you can’t beat reliable service. Our customers expect us to be reliable and in turn we expect reliability from our suppliers,” Mitch said.

“That’s why we go the extra mile and spend a few extra dollars to specify the best gear. After all, this is a long term investment. It’s a matter of getting equipment that you can rely on week in, week out and using the best available ensures it will live up to our expectations.”

The trailers have performed so well that Guse has just taken delivery of a second combination the same as the first. “The finish of the Lusty EMS trailers is first class,” Mitch said. “It’s all the little things that really make these trailers the best in their class. They come standard with corner cleaners and grain chutes all mounted on the chassis. Importantly the quality of workmanship is second to none and there are no sharp edges anywhere. I was really impressed when I picked them up in Brisbane as to how well they’d come up. Both trailers have stainless steel toolboxes and water tanks.”

“In the time we’ve had these trailers we haven’t had one issue and they still look as good as the day the we picked them up,” Mitch concluded. “But more importantly, we’re reaping the rewards of the increased payload.”